FAWE reaffirmed its leadership in advancing evidence-based, gender-responsive education through the successful convening of a Regional Workshop on the Sharing and Validation of the Institutional Documentary Film on the impact of the KIX Centre of Excellence (CoE) programme. Coordinated by the FAWE Regional Secretariat through its West and Central Africa Sub-Regional Office (WASRO) based in Senegal, the workshop brought together national chapters, consortium partners, researchers, and education stakeholders in a collaborative effort to document, validate, and amplify the programme’s transformative impact.
Implemented under the KIX Furthering Impact initiative and supported by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) through the Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC-CRDI), the workshop focused on capturing and showcasing concrete evidence from the Gender-Responsive Centres of Excellence model implemented between 2020 and 2023.
Developed in partnership with consortium members—including FAWE, the Laboratory for Research on Economic and Social Transformations (LARTES) at IFAN-UCAD, and the Paul Gérin-Lajoie Foundation—the documentary film serves as a powerful advocacy and knowledge tool. It highlights how gender-responsive education approaches have strengthened school systems, empowered learners, and created safer, more inclusive learning environments for girls and boys across participating countries.
Representatives from FAWE Mali, FAWE Burundi, FAWE Senegal, and FAWE DRC joined Ministries of Education officials, researchers, and programme focal points to review the documentary’s draft version and validate its content. Through open dialogue and shared reflection, participants ensured that the film accurately reflects the programme’s impact, lessons learned, and the lived experiences of beneficiaries and educators.
The workshop also provided a strategic platform to strengthen regional knowledge exchange and reinforce collaboration among FAWE chapters and partners. Participants shared implementation experiences, best practices, and evidence of impact—including improved gender-responsive teaching practices, strengthened school leadership, and increased learner confidence, participation, and academic engagement.
A key component of the workshop was the induction and integration support for the new FAWE Burundi management team. In a strong demonstration of FAWE’s network solidarity, chapters from Mali, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo shared insights, practical experiences, and guidance, reinforcing peer learning and strengthening institutional capacity. This exchange reflects FAWE’s unique strength as a pan-African network rooted in collaboration, shared knowledge, and collective progress.
Additional filming sessions conducted during the workshop enriched the documentary by capturing perspectives from programme stakeholders, education partners, and FAWE focal points. These contributions ensure that the final film authentically represents the programme’s legacy and serves as a compelling resource for advocacy, learning, and policy engagement.
The KIX Centre of Excellence programme has demonstrated that gender-responsive education models can transform school environments, strengthen education systems, and empower learners to actively participate in shaping their futures. By documenting and validating these achievements, FAWE and its partners are strengthening the evidence base needed to scale proven approaches and influence policy adoption across national education systems.
This workshop marks an important milestone in consolidating programme results and advancing FAWE’s broader mission to promote gender equality through education. By combining research, storytelling, and regional collaboration, FAWE continues to ensure that evidence drives action—and that education systems across Africa become more inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of all learners.